Bastrop, Tx–Joe Newman, who led the Bastrop Economic Development Corp. as president and chief executive for more than 10 years, unexpectedly resigned this week following a private meeting with board president Steve Mills. The resignation was effective immediately.
Newman did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
The action came after Newman faced public criticism from some board members earlier in the week. During a board meeting Monday evening, Mayor Terry Orr called for rethinking how the board’s industrial park is being developed. “The industrial park needs a kick start,” said Orr. “I for one don’t know what our plans are (for the project).
Board member Pat Crawford called for a workshop to review the agency’s strategic plan. “Our strategic plan sucks,” she said.
In a different part of the meeting Monday, board members retreated behind closed doors in part to review and evaluate Newman’s recent job performance. Subsequently Mills scheduled a private meeting with Newman.
A board member, who was not authorized to speak for the agency and asked not to be named, said Newman was not asked to resign and no single issue apparently led to his sudden departure, adding “maybe it was just time to make a change.”
Mayor Orr praised Newman’s years of service to the agency and said Mills and other board members will cover Newman’s executive responsibilities until a new leader is selected.
The economic development agency is funded by a dedicated half-cent sales tax which was approved for the purpose by voters in the mid 1990s. In addition to the board’s industrial park and its popular matching grant program for improving the appearance of central business district buildings, other recent activities include building new sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting and landscaping along Chestnut Street from Water Street to Texas 95.
The board is also pledged to pay for new water, sewer and underground electric lines in Alley B on the west side of the 900 block of Main Street. The board is also planning to install new street lighting on Main Street between Pine and Spring Street.
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